Each one of your car dashboard warning lights serves a purpose, giving you important information about your vehicle. Ignoring the message isn’t wise — unless you’re willing to risk expensive repairs.
Sometimes, a car warning light requires immediate attention, telling you to get off the road right away or find yourself in an inconvenient (or dangerous) situation. With other dashboard signals, you can wait a few days until your mechanic has an opening. This guide helps you know which is which.
Car Dashboard Warning Lights Matter
Part of proper vehicle maintenance is knowing what each of the car warning lights means for your particular vehicle. Many car dash symbols are standard but some manufacturers use variations. You can familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s dashboard by reviewing the owner’s manual.
Trust us, it’s worth investing a few minutes to learn what each of your car’s dashboard warning lights means. You want to know what that glowing red thermometer is before steam starts pouring out from under your hood, especially if you’re in the middle of a crowded highway and have to cross three lanes of traffic to get to safety. Warning lights do more than help you avoid damaging your vehicle: They can prevent car accidents.
Of course, for car dash symbols to do their job, you have to pay attention to them. Ignoring warning lights can turn a simple problem into a serious repair. Think of car warning symbols as health trackers for your vehicle.
Listening to your car and reacting quickly can save you a lot of time, money, and headaches. It’s better (and cheaper) to prevent problems than to replace damaged parts.
Why Do Car Dash Symbols Light Up When You Start Your Car?
In most models, it’s normal for warning symbols to briefly light up when you start the vehicle. This is part of the built-in self-check program. These lights should automatically shut off within a few seconds. On the other hand, a car warning light that remains on or lights up while you’re driving down the road can indicate a problem.
Keep in mind that the dashboard lights’ meaning and appearance can vary by vehicle. It’s a good idea to check your owner’s manual or call a mechanic if you’re unsure.
Car Dashboard Warning Lights And Their Meanings
Every dashboard light indicates a problem, but some are small issues that are easy to fix. Others are warning signs of a major mechanical failure. You may want to print out this helpful infographic on car dashboard lights meanings and keep it in your glovebox for easy reference.
Infographic source: Visualistan
It is helpful to understand what each car warning light represents and the best way to respond to it.
Seat Belt Reminder Light
The seat belt reminder light activates when the car is in Drive but the driver or front seat passenger isn’t wearing a seat belt. It remains lit until seat belts are fastened. Some vehicles also have a warning bell.
Brake System Alert Light
The brake system alert symbol indicates possible problems with your braking system. Triggers include low brake fluid, loss of hydraulic pressure, leaks, or worn pads.
If you see this car warning light come on, you should have your vehicle checked as soon as possible. Be especially careful if you notice any changes in braking ability.
Parking Brake Alert Light
This alert light tells you when the parking brake is engaged. If the light remains lit after the brake is released or comes on while you’re driving, have your vehicle checked by a professional.
Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light
The ABS warning light appears when there’s a problem with your anti-lock braking system. Your brakes will continue to work normally; however, you will not have the ABS safety feature if you have to stop suddenly or brake on slippery roads. Even though this car warning light doesn’t pose an immediate risk to your safety, you should schedule an appointment with a professional as soon as possible.
Temperature Warning Light
The temperature warning light appears if the engine coolant rises above optimal operating temperatures. It warns drivers of possible engine overheating. Red dashboard lights mean you need to react quickly.
Stop driving immediately – or as soon as you can safely pull onto the side of the road. Continuing to drive with an overheated engine can be dangerous and may lead to very expensive repairs.
What causes engine overheating? The most common cause is a low coolant level. Wait until the engine is cool — you should never touch the hood or your radiator cap when the engine is hot — check the coolant reservoir and add more radiator fluid if necessary.
Oil Pressure Warning Light
The oil pressure symbol is another one of those car dashboard warning lights that require urgent attention. It indicates low engine oil pressure, usually because of low oil levels.
Continuing to drive a car with insufficient oil pressure can cause serious damage to the engine, so pull off the road and turn off the car as soon as possible. Don’t attempt to drive to a repair shop with this symbol lit up.
Low oil can indicate a leak or might happen because of forgetting to top up your oil before a long trip. With the car turned off, check the oil level and add more if necessary. If you need help, contact a trustworthy roadside assistance provider.
Battery Warning Light
The battery warning symbol lights up when there is a problem with your vehicle’s charging system or alternator. When this system malfunctions, your battery will keep draining until it dies and the vehicle shuts off.
If you see this warning light while on the road, pull over as soon as safely possible. You don’t want to be in the middle of traffic if your car suddenly dies. Shut off all accessories (air conditioner, stereo, etc.) to save power.
Don’t turn your vehicle off until you reach safety, or it may not restart again. You can drive to a repair shop if it’s close, but it’s usually better and safer to call a reliable roadside service for a tow. Visit your mechanic as soon as possible to have the problem identified and repaired.
Low Coolant Level Warning Light
This warning light appears when your car’s coolant level is too low. Pull off the highway as soon as possible, preferably at a gas station, and turn off the motor. As long as there’s no steam coming from the engine, you can lift the hood and look at the radiator overflow tank.
Add coolant to the overflow reservoir until the level is between the MIN and MAX lines. Never add coolant to the radiator directly or even touch the radiator cap when the engine has been running. If the light remains on after adding coolant, have your vehicle inspected by a mechanic.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This dashboard indicator lets you know if the fuel tank is close to empty. Refuel as soon as possible. Yellow car dashboard warning lights are important but not critical, giving you time to evaluate the situation and correct the problem. Check your owner’s manual to verify how much gas is remaining (or how far you can still drive) once this light comes on. Don’t push your luck; you don’t want to end up stranded on the side of the road.
Check Engine Light
The check engine light (or the words “Check Engine”) is a general indicator that there’s a problem with your motor, fuel system, electrical system, or emissions system. This is one of the most commonly misunderstood car dashboard warning lights because of how ambiguous it is. In some vehicles, the check engine light will even illuminate if the gas cap is loose. Don’t forget to double-check the cap before calling a mechanic.
You don’t need to panic. Usually, the vehicle will continue to run and you can safely drive it until you can arrange an appointment with your mechanic.
That said, the check engine light can also indicate a more serious issue, such as a malfunctioning sensor or catalytic converter. Don’t make the mistake of ignoring this warning light. Leaving the situation unattended for too long may lead to major repairs.
Service Light
This dashboard light’s meaning varies significantly by manufacturer. Sometimes, a service light indicates a non-emissions-related problem with the engine. Other vehicles use this indicator when the vehicle is due for an oil change. Some cars have a separate “Change Oil Soon” light. Refer to your owner’s manual for more information on car warning symbols for your make and model.
Traction Control Light
The traction control warning flashes when your vehicle’s traction/stability control system is engaged. This usually means your vehicle has encountered dangerous road conditions and is trying to prevent a skid or rollover. If you see this symbol appear, you should drive more cautiously for the conditions.
ESP/BAS Light
The ESP/BAS warning light is related to the electronic stability control and/or brake assist system. Not all vehicles have this warning light, but If you see it, you should schedule an appointment with a licensed mechanic. Correctly identifying and fixing the issue requires special diagnostic tools.
All Wheel Drive Light
The AWD dashboard symbol indicates that your vehicle’s all-wheel-drive system is activated. It’s a helpful feature, not a warning.
Open Doors Light
This car warning light appears when one or more doors are closed incorrectly. It turns off when all doors are shut properly.
Trunk Lid Open Light
This light means the trunk is not closed properly. It should turn off once the trunk is correctly latched.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Light
The tire pressure warning light lets you know when one of your tires has low pressure. Underinflated tires can be potentially dangerous, affecting your vehicle’s handling and traction, not to mention wearing out the treads faster. Fill your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure as soon as possible.
Engine Power Restriction Light
The reduced engine power light indicates that your vehicle has engaged a fail-safe system to protect the drivetrain from damage. This feature activates when it detects a major malfunction. It prevents you from exceeding a certain speed until the problem is repaired. Have your car checked out immediately.
Front Airbag Light
Most cars have a sensor that detects when someone is sitting in the front seat so the airbag can be activated. A flashing front airbag warning light may indicate a problem with the airbag system or the sensor. This is a serious issue because your airbag may not inflate in the event of a crash. Schedule an inspection ASAP.
Transmission Temperature Light
The transmission temperature warning light is a sign that your transmission components may be overheating. You can recognize it by the gear symbol encircling the temperature gauge.
Continuing to drive when the transmission is at critical temps can cause permanent damage or severely shorten the life of your drivetrain, so it’s best to pull over as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle. Otherwise, you may end up needing a completely new transmission.
The most common reasons for high transmission temperatures include low levels of transmission fluid or excess stress from heavy towing. For example, if you’re hauling the family camper on vacation in the Rocky Mountains, make sure your transmission fluid is full before leaving.
Washer Fluid Light
The washer fluid light means you’re low on washer fluid. Fill up when you get a chance so you see the road clearly in bad weather.
Fog Light Indicator
This helpful dashboard light lets you know that your fog lights are on. That way, you don’t accidentally drain your battery once you reach your destination.
Headlight/Tail Light Out Warning Light
The lamp-out indicator means one of your headlights or tail lights is burnt out. Replace the lamp ASAP to stay safe at night and avoid getting a costly traffic ticket.
High Beam Indicator Light
The high beam indicator reminds you when your high beams are engaged. Switching to low beams for approaching traffic is good highway etiquette, and in many states, using high beams when there are oncoming drivers is against the law.
Low Beam Indicator Light
Low-beam indicator lights remind you to turn off your headlights when you exit the vehicle. Many a driver has walked out of the office to discover a dead battery because of accidentally leaving the lights on.
Lane Departure Warning Light
This warning symbol alerts you when your vehicle is drifting too close to another lane or crossing over the boundary without signaling. On some vehicles, this feature is connected to the lane-keep driver assistance system.
Forward Collision Warning Light
If your vehicle is equipped with front sensors, you may see a forward-collision warning alert when you’re at immediate risk of colliding with another vehicle, an obstacle, or a pedestrian. Brake carefully but quickly. Some vehicles add automatic braking to the FCW system to help you avoid a crash.
This warning can also appear if you’re following other cars too closely. In that case, put some distance between your vehicle and the one in front.
Blind-Spot Monitoring Light
If your car has blind-spot monitoring equipped, this warning light illuminates when there’s a vehicle in your blind spot. The BSM symbol usually shows up on the side mirrors or near the driver-side door. Some cars add audio alerts if you try to merge with a car in your blind spot.
Don’t Ignore Your Car Dashboard Warning Lights
Car warning lights are your vehicle’s way of telling you something’s wrong. Knowing what these dashboard lights mean makes you better prepared to respond quickly and correctly in an emergency, potentially avoiding expensive repairs.
Don’t put your family in danger by ignoring your car’s dashboard warning lights. A smart course of action for urgent issues is to pull over somewhere safe and call for roadside assistance. You can find a vehicle protection plan that covers towing and emergency repairs wherever you happen to be.
Find a Vehicle Protection Plan for Your Car
At autopom!, we make it easy to compare dependable VPPs for cars, trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles. You can quickly browse excellent options. You deserve to have peace of mind whenever car dashboard warning lights make an untimely appearance.
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